Comparison · family SUVs

Kia Sportage vs Hyundai Tucson: which is more reliable?

The Hyundai Tucson does better at the MOT, with a score of 101 against 98 for the Kia Sportage, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 407,296 real MOT tests in 2024.

Kia Sportage

98About average
MOT tests272,202

Hyundai Tucson

101About average
MOT tests135,094

By age

MOT Rank score for each age group (100 = an average car that age).

Age at testKia SportageHyundai Tucson
3–5 years
97Below average
100About average
6–9 years
100About average
102About average
10–14 years
97Below average
–
15+ years
89Well below average
94Below average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearKia SportageHyundai Tucson
202184.5%87.7%
202084.6%84.3%
201983.4%85.0%
201882.8%83.6%
201780.2%80.5%
201677.2%79.4%
201572.5%75.5%
201056.2%59.2%
200951.3%57.1%
200853.3%55.6%
200750.2%53.8%
200649.9%50.1%
200550.4%52.9%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaKia SportageHyundai Tucson
Brakes12.78.6
Tyres6.95.1
Lights & electrics6.43.6
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.94.5
Suspension5.92.2
Emissions & leaks2.01.7
Steering2.20.8
Body & chassis0.90.8

Kia Sportage: top failures

  1. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick3.3%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.3%
  3. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.0%
  4. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements1.5%
  5. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play1.2%
  6. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.0%

Hyundai Tucson: top failures

  1. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.9%
  2. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.8%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.3%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.0%
  5. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements0.8%
  6. Parking brake control - lever: has excessive movement indicating incorrect adjustment0.6%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Kia Sportage or the Hyundai Tucson?

The Hyundai Tucson does better at the MOT, with a score of 101 against 98 for the Kia Sportage, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson can be compared?

Both were tested for 13 registration years (2005–2021). The Kia Sportage had the higher pass rate in 1 of them and the Hyundai Tucson in 12.

What fails most on each?

Kia Sportage: brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Hyundai Tucson: brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick; wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively.